> Well,sort of. This weekend's tournament in Memphis was more than slightly disappointing. I've been going to this tournament for 15 years now,and have never seen it like this before. Usually,this tournament is the kind that gets you fired up when you walk in,good equipment,strong play,lots of high-dollar action,and just a wash of energy I usually only see at events like Derby City or Chesapeake. You felt ALIVE when you walked in,or at least I did,but no longer.
There was less action here than ever before,partially because there were fewer tables to play on period. One of the guys I rode with and myself had to leave and go to another poolroom just so he could hit some balls to warm up for his match. It also seemed like the players weren't as intent on getting and staying in action like in years past.
Another reason for there being very little action is still not making much sense to me. For the whole time I've been going there,the main action table was right inside the front door. At first,a Gandy Big G,then a Gold Crown I,then a tight Diamond Pro installed just last year. This year,we walked in and were not drawn in to whatever was happening up front,at least not in a positive manner. What greeted us was NOTHING happening up front. The Diamond was moved to the back and replaced with a heated billiard table. I have no problem with the carom games,they are beautiful when played well,and provide variety. It's the idea behind it that vexes me. Word around the campfire is that the 3 Diamonds up in the front of the room,including what was known as the "TV" table,were moved to the back to keep a certain group of players,who were paying the same table time rates as everyone else,from keeping the Diamonds tied up all night long with 2 dollar a game one-pocket. It was also supposedly said that if this group wanted to play one-pocket all night long,they could do it in the back of the building,or "the back of the bus" so to speak. This is unacceptable.
Table time rates were jacked up to 10 bucks an hour regardless of how many people were playing. 10 bucks an hour to practice or warm up by yourself is ludicrous,the normal rate at this room is 3.85. You also had someone coming around hourly to collect for the time,apparently they've had problems since last year at this tournament with people running out on table time tabs. I can see the hourly collection in that case,but almost tripling your rates during a tournament is extortion. I still spent close to 80 bucks over the course of the weekend because I just wanted to play that bad.
Fair/poor cue repair is still being served up at this event. I just couldn't find the patience to wait until I got home to change a tip,and I wanted to try a Moori again,so even after my debacle last year with the same guy,I gave him a second chance. I paid 30 bucks to have one installed,and while it was better than last time,it still was not right. I got home and looked at my ferrule with a loupe,and saw the problem was the shaft was not centered for whatever reason,so the tip had a little overhang on one side,and was cut down PAST flush on the other side. I put it in my lathe and indicated it,I am not kidding when I say the difference between the high side and low side was .020 TIR. I'll have to face the ferrule off about 1/16 shorter to take the gouges from his cutter out too. I didn't hear anyone else complain about his work this year,so maybe the reason for my poor results is the guy just doesn't like me. This is completely my fault,after last year I should have never given him another nickel for repairs,and this time I did it and didn't stand there waiting on it.
The only action all weekend was a Scotch doubles match with Larry Nevel and Lil' Jon,against Justin Berkman,who lost a couple games. This game was later resumed with Bobby Pickle getting the 8 from Larry and Jon,and winning a few games. There was also a 6-ahead one pocket for several bags between Justin Cone and Gary Abood. The game went for over 10 hours,Justin was up a few games,Gary quit and pro-rated the money,and was said to have fled Memphis.
Very little excitement was to be had.
Fewer good-looking women were present than ever before.
The cook didn't show up until Sunday afternoon.
Players were having to split quarters,a first for this event.
About the only thing I found positive about the tournament this year was at least you knew when you were going to play.
I've been supporting this tournament for 15 years now,and have never had a problem getting a spot. They filled a 128 player board,but had several more no-shows than usual. I called the room and told them I was 30 minutes from the room,and whoever they put on the phone with me told me that despite the fact the calcutta had not yet started,that if I wasn't standing there with my money in hand I was SOL. 25 people lower than me on the waiting list got in but I didn't. It's not like the guy on the phone didn't know me after 15 years either. Tommy D.
There was less action here than ever before,partially because there were fewer tables to play on period. One of the guys I rode with and myself had to leave and go to another poolroom just so he could hit some balls to warm up for his match. It also seemed like the players weren't as intent on getting and staying in action like in years past.
Another reason for there being very little action is still not making much sense to me. For the whole time I've been going there,the main action table was right inside the front door. At first,a Gandy Big G,then a Gold Crown I,then a tight Diamond Pro installed just last year. This year,we walked in and were not drawn in to whatever was happening up front,at least not in a positive manner. What greeted us was NOTHING happening up front. The Diamond was moved to the back and replaced with a heated billiard table. I have no problem with the carom games,they are beautiful when played well,and provide variety. It's the idea behind it that vexes me. Word around the campfire is that the 3 Diamonds up in the front of the room,including what was known as the "TV" table,were moved to the back to keep a certain group of players,who were paying the same table time rates as everyone else,from keeping the Diamonds tied up all night long with 2 dollar a game one-pocket. It was also supposedly said that if this group wanted to play one-pocket all night long,they could do it in the back of the building,or "the back of the bus" so to speak. This is unacceptable.
Table time rates were jacked up to 10 bucks an hour regardless of how many people were playing. 10 bucks an hour to practice or warm up by yourself is ludicrous,the normal rate at this room is 3.85. You also had someone coming around hourly to collect for the time,apparently they've had problems since last year at this tournament with people running out on table time tabs. I can see the hourly collection in that case,but almost tripling your rates during a tournament is extortion. I still spent close to 80 bucks over the course of the weekend because I just wanted to play that bad.
Fair/poor cue repair is still being served up at this event. I just couldn't find the patience to wait until I got home to change a tip,and I wanted to try a Moori again,so even after my debacle last year with the same guy,I gave him a second chance. I paid 30 bucks to have one installed,and while it was better than last time,it still was not right. I got home and looked at my ferrule with a loupe,and saw the problem was the shaft was not centered for whatever reason,so the tip had a little overhang on one side,and was cut down PAST flush on the other side. I put it in my lathe and indicated it,I am not kidding when I say the difference between the high side and low side was .020 TIR. I'll have to face the ferrule off about 1/16 shorter to take the gouges from his cutter out too. I didn't hear anyone else complain about his work this year,so maybe the reason for my poor results is the guy just doesn't like me. This is completely my fault,after last year I should have never given him another nickel for repairs,and this time I did it and didn't stand there waiting on it.
The only action all weekend was a Scotch doubles match with Larry Nevel and Lil' Jon,against Justin Berkman,who lost a couple games. This game was later resumed with Bobby Pickle getting the 8 from Larry and Jon,and winning a few games. There was also a 6-ahead one pocket for several bags between Justin Cone and Gary Abood. The game went for over 10 hours,Justin was up a few games,Gary quit and pro-rated the money,and was said to have fled Memphis.
Very little excitement was to be had.
Fewer good-looking women were present than ever before.
The cook didn't show up until Sunday afternoon.
Players were having to split quarters,a first for this event.
About the only thing I found positive about the tournament this year was at least you knew when you were going to play.
I've been supporting this tournament for 15 years now,and have never had a problem getting a spot. They filled a 128 player board,but had several more no-shows than usual. I called the room and told them I was 30 minutes from the room,and whoever they put on the phone with me told me that despite the fact the calcutta had not yet started,that if I wasn't standing there with my money in hand I was SOL. 25 people lower than me on the waiting list got in but I didn't. It's not like the guy on the phone didn't know me after 15 years either. Tommy D.
